Pelham Heights

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Stiefvater Real Estate

(914) 738-1133

Focus on:

As originally defined, this section was bordered on the north by the railroad; New Rochelle city line on the cast; Colonial Avenue to the south and the Hutchinson River to the west. Developed by Benjamin Fairchild and Benjamin Corlies in the latter part of the 19th century, the two men retained separate title to the property but created a common plan for development purposes. In 1891, the Village of Pelham Manor sought to include Pelham Heights in its incorporation proceedings. State laws pertaining to population and acreage ratios prevented this from happening.

History:

Benjamin Corlies incorporated the area in 1896 as the Village of Pelham. It was labeled the Ccsmallest village in the United States" since it consists of only .368 square miles, and just nine families were living there. Immediately following World War 1, rapid growth took place. By 1929, there were 100 families.

Avenue Names Benjamin Fairchild, while returning from a trip to California and Alaska, was shipwrecked on an island off the Alaskan coast. His adventure is memorialized in Pelham Heights street names. The island he was shipwrecked on was Loring. The vessel involved in the shipwreck was the Ancon. The rescue steamer was named the George W. Elder. Another steamer of the line was called the Corona. Monterey was the name of the city in California that Fairchild visited and particularly enjoyed. NYAC takes its name ftom the New York Athletic Club facility on Travers Island.

Highbrook was named for a brook, now underground. Cliff received its name from the topography and Eastland was named for its location. Wolfs Lane was derived from Anthony Wolf s farm, the principal portion of which became the Village of North Pelham. Sparks Avenue was named after Judge Sparks who lived on a comer of that thoroughfare..

	Milage:	2.7
	Walking Time:	60 minutes

Specific Areas:

(1) Firemen's Memorial (Comer of First Street and Wolf's Lane)

This memorial contains the bell from the original firebouse. It was dedicated in 1993 to "Pelham's Bravest". When the bell hung in the firehouse it was rung upon the death of a fireman. There are a number of memorial markers in this park recoozing past Pelham residents.

(2) Flagpole

The flagpole at First Street between Corlies and NYAC Avenues is accessible by steps leading from First Street. The plaque at the base of the pole reads "The Park Restoration and the Flagpole Gifts of 'Pride in Pelham' - Pelham Rotary Club 1978".

(3) 146 and 152 Corlies Avenue

Although these houses are of the same design, they are oriented differently on their respective sites - one having the entrance on the side instead of the front. This was done to comply with the local building code at the time which precluded having two identical houses in the same section.

(4) Railroad Arch on Highbrook Avenue

Benjamin Corlies sold a portion of his holdings to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad for a right-of-way with two stipulations; that trains stopping in Mount Vernon also had to stop at Pelhamville and that the railroad was required to construct this artistic stone arch over Mghbrook Avenue.

(5) "Snake Hill."

Almost every community has a winding street that acquires the name "snake hill". Second Street, ftom Cliff to Highbrook Avenue, has long been a favorite for sledding.

(6) Boulevard

Officially designated as a "parkway", it has been closed each night since 1924. It prohibits drive- thru traffic from Mount Vernon to New Rochelle that could disturb residents' sleep. The closing was possible as trustees determined that the Boulevard had never been dedicated to the Village and thus could be closed. Developers Corlies and Fairchild were credited as the architects of this action.

(7) Philip Pell Farmhouse Site (Cliff and Colonial Avenues)

Colonel Philip Pell III, who fought for the American cause during the Revolution, had his farmhouse on what is now Colonial Avenue near Cliff Avenue (north east corner). General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette were among guests entertained there. The farm included most of what later became the Village of Pelham. The building was destroyed by fire in 1888.

(8) Oldest Tree in the Village

The tree on the northwest comer of Monterey and Colonial Avenues is believed to the oldest in the Village of Pelham dating possibly to Colonial times.

(9) 339 Highbrook Avenue - Barn

This house, built around the turn of the century, has a large bam at the rear of the property.

(10) Colonial School

Known as the Highbrook Avenue School at the start of this century, the building consisted of four rooms with a "very noisy" wooden staircase - so loud that a teaching ceased when students went out for recess. It was replaced by another school that was later tom down because it proved to be a fire hazard. In 1926, a temporary annex was set up at Boulevard and Cliff while the present school building was constructed at the same location as the old school.

(11) 334 Pelhamdale

This home was built in 1901 and owned by John Fairchild, brother of developer Benjamin Fairchild. John was the engineer credited with designing houses that could be built on the cliffs in the area. At the edge of the curb there is a large stepping stone engraved with an "F". This was used to assist riders in dismounting from horses. Note the bam at the rear of the property which originally had two horse stalls and an apartment upstairs.

(12) Pelham Memorial High School

The cornerstone of the 1-figh School was laid in 1919 in honor of those who died in VAVI and the name of the high school reflects this honor. The building is on the site of a sand pit that was, for many years, a source of regular income for the Village, as sand was a sought-after commodity while much local construction was taking place. The Middle School opened in the building in 1930. This location is also part of the originalpellfarm. Adatestone(1750)fromthe chimney of the Pell homestead (see 7) was imbedded in the monument at the entrance to PMHS (on the Corhes Avenue side). Prior to the opening in 1921, Pelham's children attended either Mount Vernon or New Rochelle high schools.

(13) Old Boston Post Road (Colonial Avenue)

A marker located at the comer of Colonial and Wolf's Lane cites this important transportation route from New England to New York City. The road resumes its original name when it reaches the New Rochelle city line where it becomes "The King's Highway". This thoroughfare played a major role in the Battle of Pelham when the British occupied the site since it was a main supply route. Once a much-travelled Native American Indian trail, it became the route of post riders in January 1673, connecting New York, to Boston. It became an official post road in 1732. It was renamed Colonial Avenue after the Village was incorporated in 1896.

(14) White Hotel (303 and 307 Wolfs Lane)

This hostelry, built around 1870, was the only building at the comer of Boulevard and Wolf's Lane. The hotel had approximately 14 rooms. The ballroom was on the third floor. Around the turn of the century the building was divided into two separate structures. The north half of the hotel (307 Wolfs Lane) was cut off and moved south.

(15) Pelham Picture House (Wolf s Lane at Second Street)

Built in the 1920's, it is one of the oldest movie houses still operating in Westchester. It is considered to be an excellent example of original "art deco" styling.

(16) Park Along Wolf's Lane

In line with Benjamin Corlies' concept of Pelham as a purely residential area, business establishments were restricted to the west side of Wolf's Lane with the park serving as a buffer between residential and business sites. Any stores already in place on the east side of Wolfs Lane were required to move to the opposite side.

(17) Port Chester and New York RR (Wolf s Lane and Sparks Avenue)

A new railroad company wanted to establish a rail line through Pelham Heights ftom Mount Vernon, with a station at the comer of Wolf s Lane and Sparks Avenue. An individual posing as a Mount Vernon businessman seeking to acquire land for a retirement home, approached Benjamin FairchHd. In reality, he was one of the investors seeking to install the rail line. The plan was thwarted by quick legal action.

(18) Village Hall (195 Sparks Avenue)

The Village Hall, originally a residence, dates to the early part of this century.

(19) Westchester Brewery

Located on Sparks Avenue, this brewery operated until Prohibition was introduced. Horse drawn trucks carrying barrels were a familiar sight in Pelham. It is reported that a saloon on Wolf's Lane near the railroad bridge, was one of the brewery's best customers.